Northern Spain: Galicia & the Basque Country

Galicia and the Basque Country Itinerary

Day 1

According to legend, after the Apostle St. James was beheaded in Jerusalem, his body was miraculously saved by his disciples, who brought it to Spain, where it is now said to rest in the crypt of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Many pilgrims start their spiritual journey, known as El Camino, in Saint Jean Pied de Port in France, and make their way across northern Spain, ending in Santiago.

Our Northern Spain Small Group Tour begins when you arrive at Santiago airport, where you’ll be transferred to the renowned Parador de Santiago, a historic former pilgrim hospital (3 nights). From the hotel’s balcony overlooking the famous Praza Obradoiro, you’ll witness pilgrims completing their journey, marked by the symbolic touching of the scallop shell.

At 7:00 pm, we’ll gather in the cloister for a welcome drink and orientation meeting, followed by a brief guided tour of the hotel to explore its fascinating history. Including dinner.

Day 2

In the morning, we’ll set off on a sailing excursion aboard a historic schooner through the Ría de Arousa Estuary. While enjoying mussels, tapas, and onboard refreshments, you’ll learn about Galicia’s significance to Spain’s seafood industry, particularly its role in mussel farming.

Our next stop is Cambados, the heart of Albariño wine production. This charming Galician town features granite houses, and its streets are filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and wine merchants. In the main square, we’ll visit the 17th-century fortified Palacio de Fefiñanes, which has been producing wines since 1904. A guided tour and an extensive tasting of their Albariño wines will be provided.

You’ll have time for lunch on your own in Cambados, and we’ll return to Santiago in the late afternoon. The evening will be free for you to enjoy at your leisure.

Day 3

This morning, we’ll start with an overview of Santiago’s history in Obradoiro Square, followed by a stroll through the winding, cobblestone streets of the old town (casco antiguo). Highlights of the tour include a visit to the University of Fonseca and Santiago’s most iconic landmark, the cathedral, where pilgrims partake in the tradition of embracing the statue of St. James after visiting his tomb.

The afternoon will be free for you to explore. Dinner will be included at the hotel.

Day 4

Ribadeo is famed for its picturesque La Pancha lighthouse and the stunning Playa de las Catedrais, often regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches along the Galician coast. During our visit to the historic quarter, we’ll explore the colorful mansions built by Indianos, Spaniards who emigrated to the Americas and returned wealthy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One standout is the Tower of Moreno, designed by Argentine architect Julián García Núñez, a disciple of Antonio Gaudí.Lunch will be enjoyed at a portside restaurant.

Before reaching Oviedo, we’ll stop to visit the 9th-century pre-Romanesque churches of Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Santa María was originally built in 848 as a recreational palace for the King of Asturias.

For the next two nights, we’ll stay at the historic Hotel de la Reconquista, a Baroque-style hotel that has hosted Asturian nobility and Spanish royalty for over 500 years. The evening will be free for you to enjoy at your leisure.

Day 5

Day 6

In the morning, we’ll depart for a visit to the vibrant villages of Cantabria. Our first stop will be Comillas, where we’ll explore the Plaza del Corro de Campios, the town’s oldest square, surrounded by historic mansions. We’ll also enjoy a guided tour of El Capricho, a 19th-century Art Nouveau masterpiece designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. This is one of only three Gaudí creations outside Barcelona. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore the town and enjoy lunch at your leisure.

Next, we’ll visit Santillana del Mar, often dubbed “the prettiest village in Spain,” known for its charming 15th- to 17th-century stone houses.

In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Bilbao, where we’ll stay at the Artist Hotel, located along the Nervion Estuary and directly across from the iconic Guggenheim Museum. (3 nights). Including diner.

Day 7

Pablo Picasso’s iconic painting Guernica was inspired by the tragic events of April 26, 1937, when German and Italian warplanes bombed the town of Guernica during a local market day, killing hundreds of civilians. This devastating attack, part of Adolf Hitler’s military strategy, was allowed by Franco, who sought to punish the Basque resistance. Our brief stop in Guernica will include a visit to the Basque General Assembly House.

We will then continue to Bermeo, one of the Basque coast’s most important fishing villages. Its charming old port is lined with colorful homes, and a beautiful park is surrounded by bars and restaurants. We’ll visit the Ercilla Tower, home to the fascinating multimedia Fishermen Museum, which offers insights into the life, customs, and techniques of Basque fishermen, including boat construction and net-making.

Next, we’ll admire San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a small, scenic island in the Bay of Biscay, connected to the mainland by a stone bridge and 241 steps, although we won’t be climbing them. On the island stands a church dating back to the 9th or 10th century. We’ll enjoy lunch at a restaurant with breathtaking views of the island.

Day 8

Day 9

This morning, we venture into La Rioja, Spain’s most prestigious wine region. Nestled along the Ebro River and shielded by the Cantabrian mountains, the area’s clay and limestone-rich soil has supported vineyards since Roman times. The most widely grown grape varieties here include Tempranillo and Garnacha. Rioja wines come in red, white, and rosé, and are categorized into Riojas, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva based on their aging process.

Our day begins with a visit to the renowned Vivanco Wine Museum, a 4,000-square-meter space dedicated to the 8,000-year connection between humans and wine. The museum offers an interactive experience exploring the history of winemaking, concluding with a tasting of Tempranillo.

Next, we visit LaGuardia, one of La Rioja’s most picturesque villages. Its name, meaning “the guard,” reflects its strategic hilltop position that once served to monitor northern invaders. We’ll tour a 17th-century palace, exploring its wine cellar and enjoying a wine-pairing lunch. Afterward, a brief walk along the village’s ancient walls offers stunning views of the Ebro River and surrounding vineyards.

In the afternoon, we’ll arrive at the luxurious Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastián, where we’ll spend three nights. Dinner is on your own, with the option to dine at one of the city’s many Michelin-starred restaurants or enjoy pintxos in the charming old town.

Day 10

San Sebastián, known as Donostia in Euskera, has long been a favorite holiday destination for Spanish royalty. Its fame began in the 17th century when doctors believed that the saltwater of the sea could cure Queen Isabel II’s skin condition, prompting her to visit the city frequently. Today, it is a vibrant resort town filled with pintxo bars and upscale hotels.

The city is organized into four distinct districts, each with its unique character. Our morning guided tour will explore the Area Romántica, the commercial and shopping hub featuring elegant 19th-century architecture, and La Parte Vieja, the historic fishing village. Within the old town, we will visit two notable churches: the Church of Santa María and the Church of San Vicente, which is the oldest structure in San Sebastián.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy the scenic 1.5-kilometer stretch of Concha Beach and take a stroll to the Comb of the Wind, a striking set of iron sculptures located at the end of Santa Clara Beach.

Pintxos, the Basque version of tapas, are even better than their more famous counterparts. In the evening, you can immerse yourself in local culture by exploring the old town, renowned for its abundance of bars serving a wide variety of delicious pintxos, making it a culinary highlight of the Basque Country!

Day 11

Day 12

Morning transfers at scheduled times to San Sebastian (EAS) airport.